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Rebel Heart Tour press reports, reviews, videos & pictures


Apples388

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Its one of the sexiest outfit she has wore it

A much improvement from the similar ones in S&S

She looks amazing with it

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Hmm.... According to Arianne Philips, it's an Alexander Wang design?

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5 stars from express

THE lights flicker to the deafening roar of 20,000 New York Madonna fans packed into a hot and sweaty Madison Square Garden - the arrival of 'The Queen' is imminent.
It is hard to believe amid the glitz, the hype, the unbridled hysteria and adoration of the crowd, that we are back where it all began more than 30 years ago.

Madonna legend holds that the then unknown Italian-American wannabe rocked up to Times Square with just 36 dollars in her pocket and a dream of being a superstar. And as the frenzied excitement threatens to shake the very foundations of the building, I think it is safe to say she can tick that one off her list.

Yes Madonna is back on the road for her 10th world tour - Rebel Heart - named after her 13th studio album released at the end of last year. This is the fourth show on a mammoth 70-gig extravaganza which will take in America, Europe, the UK, Asia and Australia.

Rebel Heart kicked off in Montreal, Canada, last Wednesday amid much speculation as to whether the veteran singer, now in her fourth decade of entertaining, would be up to the job. As the first reviews started to trickle in it was clear not only is she still very much up to it, but that she is still as slick and polished as ever.

And why would that come as a surprise? This is the woman who after being dragged backwards off a flight of steps at the Brit Awards a few months ago, was back in full cape doing the same stunt in front of thousands last night - minus the stumble this time.
Madonna has set the bar very high for herself and make no mistake expectations are very high in every arena and stadium she sets up her stage. But as the show gets underway to the unmistakable Madonna mix of tight choreography, stunning sets and sheer star presence it is clear Rebel Heart will not disappoint.

The stage lights up before a backdrop of flashing Madonna shots in varying guises as an image of the star asks "are you with me?" - a resounding 'yes'. An army of medieval warriors carrying cruciform spears arrives before Her Madge descends from on high in a fortress-like cage to launch into the opening track 'Iconic'.

It's a fitting start because it's not the lights, the costumes or the eye-popping spectacle which has just unravelled which draws the first gasps, but the arrival of Madonna and the knowledge that for the next two hours devoted fans will get to breath the same air as their idol.

Madonna fans will know this format of old having been used by the star on every world tour since her 1990 Blond Ambition spectacle

As elaborate and flamboyant as Madonna's performances are, there is one thing they are not, and that is gimmicky. After all, who needs flying cars, pantomime palm trees, giant tongues and blow-up hotdogs when there is really only one thing worth looking at on this platform - the most iconic pop performer of our generation.

She leaves the tacky props to those less ingrained in pop legend, there really is little comparison to be made between the 57-year-old powerhouse and the ever growing community of Rihanna's, Katy's, Taylor's and Gaga's.

Madonna displays an astonishing ability to evolve without appearing dated, the show contains all the elements of raunch, religious iconography and cheeky innuendo you would expect from the one-time 'Queen of Sleaze' but at no point does it ever seem cheesy.

Whether she's cavorting with male dancers a third her age or gyrating in a thigh-revealing flapper-girl getup, with every swish and flex of her athletic body she leaves the viewer in no doubt that she is in absolute control not only of her brand, but of how she is perceived.

When she grinds up and down a go-go pole trampling female dancers decked out as semi-clad nuns, she is not being slutty but is once again testing the boundaries of social acceptance.

As Miley Cyrus has us cringing at her elongated tongue and childish 'twerking', Madonna, 35-years-her senior, has academics still pondering her message and infallible relevance as a cultural icon, expertly juxtapositioning sexuality and religion, vulnerability with power.

The show moves through a carefully-constructed set of themes - Joan of Arc, Samurai to Tokyo Rockabilly, Latin Gipsy and Party. Madonna fans will know this format of old having been used by the star on every world tour since her 1990 Blond Ambition spectacle.

One difference this time round though is that Madonna's energy, though staggering, is slightly less pumped. The dance routines look less exhausting to watch and many of the numbers have been slowed down to ballad pace for this tour. But she is 57 for goodness sake, an age at which most of us would be starting to think about comfy slippers and early nights.


And that's not to say she doesn't bust some impressive moves, you try hanging upside down on a pole and singing without dropping a note. Another standout in this show is that Madonna, for the first time on a major world tour, appears more laid back and happy on stage.

There is less intensity in her presence and a softer, cheerier, 'let's just have a great night' vibe to the whole thing - perhaps she is mellowing, after all let's face it, she's nailed it.

Downsides - it would have been nice to hear Like A Prayer, for any old-schoolers this is now the one we all hope for, and it's a shame she missed out Ghosttown and Joan of Arc from the new album.

But the show will not disappoint British fans who have another two months to wait until the Queen of Pop lands on our fair isles to play London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. There is something here for everyone, the young and old, die-hard fans and those who just like Madonna's music and fancy a good night out.

Rebel Heart plays London's O2 Arena on December 1 and 2; Manchester Arena on December 14; Birmingham Barclaycard Arena on December 16 and The SSE Hydro in Scotland on December 20.

http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/606213/Rebel-Heart-world-tour-Madonna-The-Queen-pop?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-music-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Music+Feed%29

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vh1

Madonna’s Concert Changed My Opinion About Her Rebel Heart Era

I get it now. And I love it.
by Christopher Rosa 21m ago
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If you’re a true blue (pun intended) Madonna fan, then there is at least one era from her illustrious 30-year career you’d rather forget. For many, it’s 2003’s American Life, but I actually loved Madge’s sociopolitical commentary set to frantic techno slosh. Or maybe it’s 2008’s late-to-the-party Hard Candy, with its stale Timbalandbeats and aggressive lollipop album cover. (Again, I didn’t hate it. In fact, “Miles Away” is one of M’s best tracks to date.)

No. For me, it was Rebel Heart. From the borderline offensive Instagram promo to the preliminary leaks, and then the album itself—inconsistent, light on effervescent dance-pop, and heavy on cringe-worthy lyrics—I loathed this era like Madonna detests hydrangeas. Coming off 2012’s MDNA, an immaculate collection of dark, bubbly EDM, Rebel Heart felt like a rush job—well, at least to me. Where was the cool, calculated Madonna with dry wit I fell in love with? Rebel Heart M definitely wasn’t her.

Notice how I’m speaking in past tense, because all of this changed Wednesday night when I attended Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour at Madison Square Garden. Madonna is a consistently athletic showgirl, with each tour more cardio-intensive, provocative, and splashy than the last. RHT was no exception. The nearly two-hour show was a larger-than-life display of cutting-edge pop showmanship, filled to the brim with zesty costumes, intricate choreography, and a militant, rigid precision that felt other-worldly. The 17,000+ fans packed in MSG were mesmerized—hypnotized—from start to finish.

However, something about this go-around felt different from her past tours. A tangible warmth permeated Wednesday’s show—a foreign concept in live Madonna fare. Gone was her standard, “Don’t you love me?” grimace, and a heartfelt—wait for it—smile remained. For the first time in ages, it looked like Madonna was having an uninhibited blast. Wild, carefree, and a rare brand of sexy-desperate, she was both enticing and delightful to watch.

This sunshine persona was only augmented by Madonna performing several from-the-vault songs with authentic excitement. Of course, she re-imagined them to keep things fresh and current. Nonetheless, she celebrated her oldies; before, it seemed she only acknowledged them out of commitment. “Like a Virgin” was set to a bouncy synth beat; “Material Girl” received a seismic glam-rock makeover; and she even offered “Dress You Up,” “Into the Groove,” and “Lucky Star” in a Latin-tinged medley. “Deeper and Deeper” and “La Isla Bonita” felt refreshingly similar to their original counterparts. Finally, Madge is happy to indulge the nostalgia.

Nostalgia. That’s an important word for RHT. Madonna’s endearing disposition was complimented by something she told the audience before singing “Who’s That Girl”—yes, really! “I’m feeling very nostalgic,” she said. “Do you people understand that I played Madison Square Garden 30 years ago? I survived!”

Wait, what? Madonna admitted she is a legacy artist? For a woman hellbent on always looking forward and never repeating herself, this came out of left field. And then she hit us again with more sentimentality. “The support, the love that you have all given me for over two decades. What a lucky girl am I?” she said.

Shortly after, Madonna dove into a new song, “Rebel Heart,” while fan art played in the background. That’s when it hit me: The Rebel Heart era is, hands down, Madonna’s most personal to date. The smiling, fan drawings, warm musings, and recognition of old hits—she’s never been this transparent before.

And that’s exactly what the Rebel Heart era has been since the beginning: transparent. The Instagram posts, haphazard as they may be, are Madonna’s direct connection to fans, this writer included. The leaks and irreverent promo (Drake smooch included) have made our typically cold and distant diva more human than ever. And this tour—her most self-referential—proves Madonna is comfortable existing in two distinct spaces: the 2015 boundary-pushing pop star and the nostalgic icon unafraid to embrace ’80s cheese.

This juxtaposition reached a palpable height when Madonna performed her current song “Unapologetic B–ch” with familiar tongue-in-cheek oomph, then directly went into “Holiday” with jovial, childlike spirit. It was the perfect encore.

I left Madonna’s concert bewildered, because she is now something I never expected: accessible. Heck! She may even kiss you, as one lucky fan found out Wednesday night. And I can’t lie: The Rebel Heart era—messy, nonsensical, and head-scratching—made this happen.

How crazy am I to think this time is anything but magical?

http://www.vh1.com/news/206910/madonna-rebel-heart-tour-review/

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^ That review was incredible for several reasons. Firstly, I still find it puzzling how people can dislike Rebel Heart as I think it is such a fantastic album on so many levels. However, reading this review and seeing the reviewer change their mind, plus talk of how warm and wonderful she is was quite touching. The power of Madonna.

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As brilliant as her albums are, I think seeing Madonna live really makes it all come together. Really, it's been like that from day one. We are in the midst of yet ANOTHER zenith in her career. It's unreal! There will NEVER be another!

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its almost too good to be true. part of me thinks someone told them this may be her last tour or something like that and thats why they love her. i don't know, i just can't believe she's getting rewarded for her effort. im not used to it

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its almost too good to be true. part of me thinks someone told them this may be her last tour or something like that and thats why they love her. i don't know, i just can't believe she's getting rewarded for her effort. im not used to it

Lol.....let's face it, ALL the tours deserve this! However, it's easy to see why this tour in particular seems to REALLY be connecting with the public. She's warm, personable, just enough salaciousness but not over the top and she's doing soooooo many hits! It's a dream come true for the casual fans! Let those fucktards at MadonnaTribe suck on these elephant sized nuts!! "My friends hate 80's and want Nothing Really Matters, Sanctuary and Secret Garden. We aren't going now!! Waaa waaaa waaa". Hopefully they've all fucked off forever now! Lol

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